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Published: April 3rd 2011
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I think I showed this in the last blog,
but I meant to call your attention to the little guy on the left....he's watching you! (South West Bible Camp)
Our women’s team had really interesting jobs this project…well really, we had fun jobs all three months. This time we began with painting the baseboard and door frames (and doors) in one of the girls’ houses; this was fun because we could really see the difference, and because we got a glimpse into the girls’ lives. The house is gorgeous, in case I haven’t said that before! The second week we stained the playground equipment in a park that the guys were working on. It was set in kind of a triangle shape, and the team that was there ahead of us had nearly completed the installation of two wooden gym-type sets. They had been donated by different parties, but one of the families donated a set that their son had been given by the Make-A-Wish foundation. The boy’s name was Jordan, and he got the set in 2001. We don’t know any more about his story, other than that the park got his playset, and the park is dedicated to him. While we were staining some of the men were building a gazebo, which they ended up staining. A bunch of greenery, and sod, had
A couple things here:
the little cactus beside the saguaro is a baby saguaro. I thought it was a small barrel cactus, but in fact it's growing up in the protection of the big one. Saguaro can live for 200 years or more! Can you see the holes in it? The birds drill in there for shade & water. We watched on during church one morning (several mornings, actually!) and he pulled out a little bit of the meat of the cactus, and tossed it, and then headed in for another beakful. been donated by a nursery, so that was also planted, after the irrigation system had been installed. The sod wasn’t laid before we left, but I’d like to see the park in a few months, when everything has settled in. During spring break we had little kids there to watch us and ask questions! It was fun, and we all enjoyed being outdoors working. Then we organized the storage building, where some of the overstock items are stored, and the paint room, and the plumbing room; I tell you, there’s just not much you can do to organize a plumbing room! Organizing is my absolute favorite thing to do! Our guys worked with the men from the other team, as skills allowed; they got so many things done that I couldn’t even begin to tell you. Amazing!
After being with the same team for three months, when the time comes to separate, it’s always bitter sweet. We have two couples coming with us to New Mexico; two couples are headed home, and one couple was headed to Arkansas on project. We will have two other couples join us in NM, for a total of five couples. And we’ll make
Olives on a tree.. (duh)
they can't be eaten off the tree, as they have a very bitter taste. They either have to be process, or pressed into oil. some new friends!!
Bob and I left Tuesday morning after devotions, so we could get to the next camp ahead of the team; it’s only 350 miles~~easy trip, right? Not in this case! About 100 miles from Mesa an electron sign above the highway informed us that there was a disabled vehicle 48 miles ahead, and the right lane would be closed….seemed like kind of an early warning. About seven miles later we hit the traffic snarl caused by the disabled vehicle….and traveled about six miles an hour for the next 41 miles. By the time we got to where this stupid vehicle should be, they were taking the signs down! But the traffic was still tied up for a few miles past there.
And then we lost another hour because New Mexico follows daylight savings time, and Arizona didn’t. And then we climbed to an altitude of 6400 feet…then down to 4700…then back up to 6300…..ssslllooooooooww going to say the least! But while we were creeping along slowly, I got up to get some water and when I opened the fridge, a bottle of apple juice (8 oz, plastic) jumped to its death on the ceramic tile floor.
Our ladies' day out
at the Tea House. We had so much fun dressing up and just visiting! We did a little shopping afterwards, but you can be sure there was no Home Depot involved! Even if you’re traveling slowly, it doesn’t mean the driver can pull over right away. Even if you’re traveling slowly, that apple juice slides all over the floor. I used a towel, with lots of water, and wiped it up….and then tried to walk on it. Apple juice is very sticky. When we finally got to our next project I had to wash the floor three times before we could pick up our feet with minimal effort! What did I learn from this? Next time we travel, I’m just going to pour apple juice on the countertop and not worry about putting anything away. Nothing will slide. (Nope, the stay-sitting-while-I-drive lesson escaped me again!)
But we got to Glenwood, New Mexico, Southwest Bible Camp, safely. Thank you again, God. Glenwood is a town of about 34 people, and most of them are retired. The town was started with the silver and copper mines, as well as timber, but the environmentalists have called a halt to those, so the town is dwindling, to say the least. The camp is like the camps we’re accustomed to at home~~rustic, and only active in the summer and fall. Other things I’ve noticed: it
We were gone for a few days,
and when we returned this sign was on our bus! Nice to know the team is looking out for us! (the writing below says "make an offer"! Luckily, no one did!) gets dark at night! It’s been nearly four months since we’ve had darkness! And if you have darkness, you have stars~~and satellites! And it is soooo quiet. We are just gulping in the quiet. I haven’t heard a siren in 24 hours! No airplanes or racing cars. Quiet. I feel like I’ve been in sensory overload for months! It was fun, but this is who Bob and I are! We’re not city folk. We’re 35 miles to Reserve, which is the county seat, which is a small town; it’s 65 miles to Silver City, at town of 7,000. We have no cell phone, but we do have wifi by going just across the yard to the manager’s house. There are no local tv channels, because of the mountains, but we have a satellite, so we’ll get to watch Survivor (I know, I know!). We also have nine mule deer that feed in this little meadow where we’re parked. I’m going to enjoy this month!!
The rest of the team should be here in a couple days, and then our new month begins!
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aline
non-member comment
so good !
Bonjour Vicky and Bob, It is so good reading you ! I love your stories and pictures. The way you live is so amazing and inspiring ! Can't wait till the next post. God Bless ! Aline